Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: boat

After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sends the disciples off across the lake. They were a crew that liked to stay with Jesus. We do not have very many examples where Jesus creates separation from the disciples. But in today’s passage, Jesus “made” them get in the boat and head across the lake. Our passage reveals three reasons Jesus did this and they are lessons for us as well.

The first is Jesus’ desire for solitude. After dismissing the crowd, Jesus goes up the mountain to pray. Jesus often found space and alone time to talk with God. It is one of the best models He gives us and one we should seek to practice often.

The second is Jesus’ desire for the disciples to trust Him. We do not know if Jesus foresaw the storm but we do know the last time they were out on this lake they feared for their lives. They have a recent bad experience with this lake and a storm. It was when Jesus awoke and calmed the storm that they felt safe again. Now they head out without Jesus. They must trust in His continued care even though He is not physically present with them. At times, so must we.

The third is to demonstrate Jesus’ absolute power over everything. In the middle of the night, as the boat is buffeted by wind and waves, “Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake”. As the storm goes on, the disciples’ fears must have escalated. Memories of almost sinking and now being without Jesus must have created some tension in the boat. Jesus finishes praying and He returns to the disciples. To see Jesus walking on the water must have helped solidify their belief in Jesus as the Son of God. Just as God is, so too is Jesus omnipotent. Knowing that Jesus is truly Lord of all brings us great comfort and reassurances as we journey through life. To pray often and to trust always and to know Jesus Christ as Lord of all, these are the building blocks of our faith.

After the feeding of the five thousand the disciples head out across the lake without Jesus. He has sent them on ahead presumably with reassurances that He will join them later. One can assume that the disciples thought Jesus meant in Capernaum, their destination. About three miles into their journey, they discover another reality. With water as far as the eye can see in the dark of the night, the disciples spot something approaching.

The disciples reality is jarred as they must have moved from “Hey look” to “can’t be” to “it is?” as Jesus draws near to the boat. Jesus was not on a jet ski or in a speed boat. He was walking on the water. This must have struck a chord of fear in the disciples as He had to reassure them and calm them as He climbed into the boat. I bet his sandals and the edges of His clothing were not even wet.

The scriptures tell us that as Jesus joins them, just as He got into the boat, suddenly they were there on shore. Once He joins them they are there. Does this phenomenon occur in our lives? Does it ever seem as if Jesus sends us out and we journey along on our own? Then just at the right time He is there, right in the midst of life with us? Then He too says, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

His presence is an amazing part of this journey of faith. Although God is omnipotent and omnipresent, it seems at times we get a little extra ‘bump’ – He is just a little more present, a little more with us when we need Him most. He calms us with the same words again, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” For this we say thank be to God!